If you’re at all interested in home design, you’re probably familiar with one of the more recent popular styles: modern farmhouse. Think rustic wood beams, sleek white kitchens and sliding barn doors. While homeowners have been embracing this style for years now, there’s a new trend that’s taking over home design — and consequently, the real estate market.
According to Zillow’s latest research, organic modernism is the new modern farmhouse, and buyers are becoming more willing to pay for homes with nature-inspired design choices that align with the style. In fact, homes with these features sell for as much as 3.7% more than expected (that’s an extra $12,500 on the typical U.S. home).
So what exactly is organic modernism? Here, we break down the trend along with its most sought-after features.
What is organic modernism?
According to Zillow’s Home Trends Expert Amanda Pendleton, organic modernism has been on the rise since the early days of the pandemic.
“Organic modernism feels like an evolution of the modern farmhouse look. It’s a design style that blends modern minimalism with natural elements and materials — think lots of wood, natural stone, patinated metals and texture. It’s become so popular lately because it offers a balance of comfort and style, and it feels attainable yet luxurious,” says Pendleton.
Plus, the trend is rooted in sustainable design, which is becoming increasingly important to younger homebuyers who want to feel connected to the nature. Organic modernism gives them “refuge from a chaotic world,” according to Pendleton.
What features are homebuyers looking for?
Organic modernism is all about raw yet refined features, connecting homeowners to nature both inside and outside their homes. According to Zillow, there are a few key design elements related to this desire for serenity that can boost a home’s sale price.
Indoors
- Soapstone countertops
- White oak floors
- Venetian plaster walls
Outdoors
- Outdoor shower
- Outdoor kitchen
- Bluestone patio
For example, soapstone is now more in demand than quartz as a countertop material, contributing to a sale premium of 3.5% versus 2.6% for quartz. And it doesn’t stop there — functional outdoor spaces are continuing to sell for more. Listings with mentions of outdoor showers, outdoor kitchens and bluestone patios can boost resale value by 2.2 – 2.8%.
Is organic modernism here to stay?
Trends come and go, yet the desire to stay connected to nature while at home has grown stronger and stronger among homeowners since the pandemic. Buyers want sustainable, natural materials incorporated into the spaces they spend the most time in. That desire has been present for years now — even if it’s just now reaching the mainstream — suggesting that this trend has some real staying power.
“This style has saturated social feeds and media to the point where a typical home buyer now associates these features with an up-to-date home. As a result, they’re willing to compete for a home that has these trendy features and pay more than expected,” says Pendleton.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
